Fifer Spence joins ranks of the Flyers

Fife Flyers have brought Glenrothes teenager James Spence to the club. The 19-year-old began his career in the Kingdom, playing with the Fife Flames before flying off to Canada to learn his trade Ontario Hockey Academy.

During his time in the junior leagues in Ontario he iced 118 times, scoring 56 points along the way.

The right winger then went on to play in the Polish second division with Opole HK, where he played 37 times and scored 38 points.

He returns home to Fife having also represented Scotland at youth level from U13 to U19s.

Flyers head coach Todd Dutiaume said: “James is a local lad who has been away for a number of years plying his trade.

“We have kept in touch and he has skated with the team whenever he has been back in the country.

“He has developed a skill set that will allow him to take the next step in his career and join the Fife Flyers.

“Initially signed to train with the club and eventually get some game time, James will now join us full time and play his was up to speed.

“I’m confident that he will do well once he adjusts to the pace, gains valuable experience and improves his conditioning.

“He has a great attitude and work ethic, which is the key to success for young players wanting to break into the top flight.

“I am pleased to be working with another young player with roots in Fife and I am sure our fans will give him a warm reception on Sunday.”

Flyers go into tonight’s Elite League joust away to Belfast Giants in eighth place – and Dutiaume is anxiously looking over his shoulder.

The club occupy the final play-off spot and are once again under pressure as

Glasgow Clan are only one point behind but have played six fewer games.

Last weekend’s double whammy, losing 3-0 to Belfast and 4-2 to Nottingham Panthers, both at The Fife Ice Arena, was a massive blow, particularly after Fife had been playing some good hockey lately.

American marksman Michael McNicholas remains at the top of the league points charts with 20 points, but he is not a one man team and coach Dutiaume wants the rest of his hand-picked men to show their quality in what is a difficult trip.

His squad know what to expect after last weekend and nobody has to remind Dutiaume that Flyers have lost their last seven games to the Northern Irish combine.

Fife have only scored six goals and lost 26 in that depressing run and last weekend’s shutout was the second suffered by Flyers at home to Giants this season as the pair were also matched in the Challenge Cup qualifiers.

Meanwhile Dundee Stars go into their basement battle with Clan tonight on a high after their 4-2 midweek win over high-flying Cardiff Devils in the Challenge Cup quarter-final first-leg.

Coach Omar Pacha said his men played a solid game against the men from the principality, who are third table and is looking for an action replay.

It is a different story for Clan coach Malcolm Cameron whose leg-weary men were thrashed 6-0 at Braehead in their last league game on Sunday.

He is looking for a bounce back after a week where Clan had no midweek games.

Stars prop up the table with nine points from 15 games, having only scored 35 goals while ninth-placed Clan have nine points – one behind Fife.